Optimist Football To Replace Helmets

Optimist Youth Football has replaced hundreds of helmets do to a Virginia Tech study on football helmet ratings and concussions.

The university performs tests on various professional grade helmets, which are used by high school, college, and professional level athletes.

Based on test results, the Virginia Tech scale is designed to identify differences in helmets that could reduce risk of concussion. The study is considered controversial; however, the NFL uses Virginia Tech's charts in its locker rooms.
Replacing around 900 helmets was a $53,000 project, paid for by the Idaho Potato Bowl and other donors.

Sign-ups for the next season of Optimist Youth Football are going on now.